With innocent White House staffer Jeannine Locke framed as the president’s mistress, “the presidency is holding on by the thinnest of threads” — or at least that’s what Cyrus claims in a new sneak peek (via E! Online) from tonight’s episode, Season 3, Episode 2: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

“You need to grow some presidential-sized balls, get out there on TV, and tell the world you had sex with Jeannine Locke,” he demands to Fitz. “You confirm, then I confirm, then we put it all behind us,” Mellie adds. But the POTUS isn’t havin’ any of it.

“I am the president of the United States and I call the shots,” he answers as he gets up and starts to walk away. “You both threw an innocent young woman under the bus and now Liv is going make that right. So when the media calls and asks if Jeanine Locke was my mistress, you will answer absolutely not. And then you’re going to tell them this White House owes Ms. Locke one world-class hell of an apology, which we humbly hope that she accepts.”

Not-so-surprisingly, Mellie is the first to question his plan. “And if we don’t?” she asks. “Try me!” Fitz exclaims as he slams the Oval Office door.